and did you rent from local car rental facilities or the major chains that we have here

all the signs are in English
just recognize the no speed limit areas (bars through the posted limit), ask for a car with GPS, and do not go over the speed limit, you will get caught
If someone is coming up behind you in the left lane faster, move over to the right one. Left blinker in the left lane means "I want to pass you, move over"
don't drive like the tards in North America (yeah, people drive like tards in NA) and be courteous on the roads!

all the signs are in English
just recognize the no speed limit areas (bars through the posted limit), ask for a car with GPS, and do not go over the speed limit, you will get caught
If someone is coming up behind you in the left lane faster, move over to the right one. Left blinker in the left lane means "I want to pass you, move over"
don't drive like the tards in North America (yeah, people drive like tards in NA) and be courteous on the roads!

it is super fun and easy to drive in Germany

I've encountered some pretty terrible European drivers as well in my 7+ years living here.... Especially when you come flying up in the fast lane and they don't feel like moving...

but in general, I've found they are a bit more aware of their surrounding than in North America

Usually the people that are in your way are people with 3 letters in the license plate. One Letter, like S for Stuttgart or F for Frankfurt represent big cities, and are more acustomed to autobahn driving. Two letters, like BA for Bamberg or SW for Schweinfurt, are also well acustomed to autobahn driving as well. It is the 3 letter little towns (NUE or WAK for example), usually in the country away from major roads that are terrible drivers for the most part. But yes, compared to North America, the highway flow is usually much more efficient.

Here is an example of what I meant....

1 Letter (Major City of Frankfurt):

Two Letters would have two before the registration stickers, and three would obviously have three.

Usually the people that are in your way are people with 3 letters in the license plate. One Letter, like S for Stuttgart or F for Frankfurt represent big cities, and are more acustomed to autobahn driving. Two letters, like BA for Bamberg or SW for Schweinfurt, are also well acustomed to autobahn driving as well. It is the 3 letter little towns (NUE or WAK for example), usually in the country away from major roads that are terrible drivers for the most part. But yes, compared to North America, the highway flow is usually much more efficient.

Here is an example of what I meant....

1 Letter (Major City of Frankfurt):

Two Letters would have two before the registration stickers, and three would obviously have three.

Watch on the autobahn in particular when it goes from no limit to a posted speed limit. I was riding over there (motorcycle) two months ago and I certainly took notice of going from doing 170+ km/hr to 80 km/hr pretty quickly.

I'm sure Germany has it's bad drivers but most, at least on the autobahn, are familiar with moving right after passing.

I rented it for 10 days and it came to about 660 USD. The gas mileage was a ridiculous 45-50 mpg, and we drove over 2000 km during the trip.

The car was limited to a top speed of 190 kmph. I actually found the smaller german roads and driving in switzerland and italy more enjoyable than driving at top speed on the autobahn. Didn't come across any left lane hoggers like here in the US but there were many who flaunted the speed limits in all these three countries. I just stuck to what everyone advises here regarding not going over the speed limit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeung330xi

^

wow its pretty cheap to rent a 1 series $30 USD a day with unlimited kms...

Just spent 3 months there, Ingolstadt which was just north of Munich. Watch out for the signs on the autobahn, I got 3 tickets and the rental company will just bill you after a month or so. Definitely go to Prague, 2-3 hr drive from Munich, and have come Absinthe ice cream. Also find out if there are any festival going on, usually got a good beer garden with regular brew beer and sometimes special festive beer.
Other places to go that are close by Munich:
- Ulm Munster, pretty old gothic church and you can climb the 768 steps
- Salzburg Austria castle, salt mine tour and eagles nest (specially if your military)
- Zurich and rhinefall Switzerland
- Belgium, closer to cologne though
- Neuschwanstein castle, packed with tourist though
- BMW museum, Audi museum (Ingolstadt 40 min north of Munich on A9), porsche in Stuttgart
- BMW welt an factory tour, if you need a specific part for your bmw and need a part number, just ask one of the staff and they will kindly get it for you
- Hops museum in WolNzach if your a beer brewer
- Dacau concentration camp
- hofbrauhaus is over rated but still a must, good pork knuckle
- Berlin if you have tim, 5-6 hr train ride from Munich,pack some beer forthe train ride

Try all the beer you can if your a beer drinker, downside is it will suck when your back in the states. Have fun and be safe